Dirty thunderstorm

Dirty thunderstorm
Volcanic lightning above an eruption of Mount Rinjani.

A dirty thunderstorm (also, Volcanic lightning) is a weather phenomenon that occurs when lightning is produced in a volcanic plume.[1]

A famous image of the phenomenon was photographed by Carlos Gutierrez and occurred in Chile above the Chaiten Volcano.[2] It circulated widely on the internet. Other instances have been reported above Alaska's Mount Augustine volcano,[3] and Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano.[4]

Causes

A study in the journal Science indicated that electrical charges are generated when rock fragments, ash, and ice particles in a volcanic plume collide and produce static charges, just as ice particles collide in regular thunderstorms.

As the plume started going downwind, it seemed to have a life of its own and produced some 300 more or less normal [lightning bolts] ... The implication is that it has produced more charge than it started with. Otherwise [the plume] couldn't continue to make lightning.

—Martin Uman, co-director of the University of Florida Lightning Research program

Volcanic eruptions also release large amounts of water, which may help fuel these thunderstorms.

References

  1. ^ Simons, Paul (May 8, 2008). "Dirty thunderstorm shoots lightning from volcano". London: Times Online. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/weather/article3889902.ece. Retrieved 2009-01-09. 
  2. ^ "Chile Volcano Erupts with Ash and Lightning". National Geographic. May 6, 2008. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/05/photogalleries/volcano-photos/. Retrieved 2009-01-09. 
  3. ^ Handwerk, Brian (February 22, 2007). "Volcanic Lightning Sparked by "Dirty Thunderstorms"". National Geographic. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/02/070222-volcano-lightning.html. Retrieved 2009-01-09. 
  4. ^ "Iceland Volcano Pictures: Lightning Adds Flash to Ash". National Geographic. April 19, 2010. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/04/photogalleries/100419-iceland-volcano-lightning-ash-pictures/. Retrieved 2010-04-20. 

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